GEMS is an Army Educational Outreach Program that enables students to experience science and engineering in real-world Army laboratory settings. The GEMS program is based on a multidisciplinary educational curriculum and is focused on age-/grade-appropriate hands-on activities in areas including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computational science, physics, optics, robotics, and chemistry.
Learning modules and program dates:
GEMS I - mechanical engineering | math | physics 2021 Dates: June 7 - 11; June 21-25
GEMS II - chemical engineering | environmental science | electrical engineering
| materials engineering | robotics | physics 2021 Dates: June 28 - July 2
GEMS III - electrical engineering | additive manufacturing | physics | forensic science | computer engineering | mechanical engineering | materials engineering and fiber science | soft skills 2021 Dates: July 12-16 *GEMS III is by invitation only.
Eligibility information
Students in grades 7 through 12 are eligible to apply for GEMS. Students who are currently in 12th grade who will graduate before June 1 are not eligible to apply for the GEMS program.
Only students who have successfully completed GEMS I and GEMS II will be invited to participate in GEMS III. If selected, students will complete advanced activities beyond those in GEMS I and GEMS II, in addition to working to solve real-world problems and participating in tours and technical briefings.
Student application period (varies by site)
January - March: Applications due. Registration closes March 26, 2021.
April: Applications reviewed; participants selected and notified
June and July: Students participate in GEMS program
Educators - Visit the AEOP GEMS program site to apply to be a summer resource teacher
AvMC engineers and scientists visit school classrooms to conduct hands-on inquiry and design-based activities tailored to meet a specific STEM learning objective or event theme. Coupled with real-world technologies and career discussions, engineers and scientists put a personal face on STEM professions and help students see why STEM literacy and choosing a STEM profession are important.
Application process: Schools wishing to participate should contact the Outreach office for an application.
K-16 STEM tours may include 10 to 25 students
Tours of various Aviation & Missile Center facility areas are designed to provide students with a glimpse of the technologies and real-world STEM disciplines employed within AvMC, while providing a valuable learning experience about the working environment of Army laboratories in general.
STEM college bus tours may include 25 to 42 students
The STEM college bus tour is a program that incorporates Army laboratory visits and interactive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content into chartered bus tours. These tours are conducted on the campuses of colleges and universities. Activities are conducted in AvMC facilities, on the campus of partner institutions, or on the premises of outreach partner agencies. This initiative requires each student to complete a STEM workbook that serves as a learning assessment for the experience. The workbook utilizes geocaching technology, includes a set of questions pertinent to each day’s tour event, and is packaged in designated modules for each respective tour itinerary/locale.
Application process: Organizations wishing to participate in a college bus tour should contact the Outreach office.